Vehicle Door Latch Soundproofing Buffer Pocket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle door latches face challenges in noise reduction and maintaining reliable function during the interaction of the catch, pawl, and catch bolt, particularly due to overtravel movements which disrupt soundproofing and operational consistency.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a casing made of soundproofing material with a buffer pocket acting as an overtravel stop within the catch, ensuring the pawl remains in the primary position and reducing noise by buffering the catch bolt during closing, and optionally using polyurethane for enhanced soundproofing and reducing the transmission ratio of the catch to pawl.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the catch carries out overtravel movement to accommodate tolerances between catch and pawl, then the closing and opening movement reliability is improved, but noise increases and soundproofing is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing a buffer element (such as a rubber buffer or elastic deformation zone) between the catch and pawl that absorbs overtravel movements before they can generate noise. This cushioning element is pre-positioned to accommodate tolerance variations, allowing the catch to complete its closing movement reliably while dampening the impact and preventing noisy collisions during overtravel.
2Reliability
If the catch carries out overtravel movement to accommodate tolerances, then the locking mechanism reliability is improved, but the pawl may leave the primary position causing operational inconsistency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by incorporating a stop mechanism (such as a stop surface or positioning element) that prevents the pawl from leaving its primary position during catch overtravel. This stop mechanism acts in advance to counteract the tendency of the pawl to disengage, maintaining stable engagement throughout the overtravel movement and ensuring consistent locking operation.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If soundproofing material is added to reduce noise during door closure, then noise reduction is improved, but the complexity of the locking mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating soundproofing material directly into the existing locking mechanism components, such as incorporating rubber buffers into the catch assembly or applying damping materials to the pawl mounting. This integration combines the soundproofing function with the mechanical components, reducing noise without requiring separate soundproofing systems and thereby minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces noise during door closure and ensures reliable operation by maintaining the pawl in the primary position, enhancing soundproofing and kinematic efficiency through the use of soundproofing materials and buffer pockets.
Implementation Method 1
at least the catch (1) contains a casing (7) made of soundproofing material
Implementation Method 2
the casing (7) contains a buffer pocket (8) situated behind the primary position (2) in clockwise direction
Data Source
AI summary
Vehicle door latch, in which the catch comprises a casing made of sound-proofing material, the casing containing a buffer pocket, situated behind the primary position in clockwise direction and the buffer pocket being stretched around up to the area of the primary position, forming an overtravel stop cooperating with the pawl.